Chapter 171
In the still of the night, Timothy made his way back to the hospital.
Luela barely glanced up at him before burying her face back into her knees, her whole being still engulfed in deep fear. She didn’t want to be near him again,
With a hard swallow, Timothy backed out of the room.
His steps echoed down the empty hallway, the sound of his leather shoes crisp in the silence. Pushing open a window at the end of the hall, the night breeze rushed in, stinging his face and dispersing the scent of cologne clinging to him.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and he knew it was Sullivan,
Trembling. Timothy lit a cigarette, its white glow stark against the night, reminiscent of the sultry nights he had spent with Lucia,
His voice was thin. “The first time I saw her, I was blown away. I went out of my way to have her. But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t marry her. Even now, I feel the same! It’s just not possible, not realistic! Sullivan, the best I can do is to let her go, to allow her a peaceful life…” He looked down at the cigarette between his fingers, his voice growing even more somber, “Megan’s with her, fm relieved.”
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Sullivan was silent for a long while.
Finally, he spoke softly. Tve consulted the best specialists for her. She’s permanently lost hearing in her right ear. Shell need a hearing aid from now on! Timothy, are you sure this is the choice you want to make?”
Timothy tumed to snuff out his cigarette, speaking lightly. “Only those in power have choices! Sullivan, you, of all people, should know
this.
He left behind a check for $50 million, enough to secure Lucia’s future.
Leaving the hospital, he looked up, his eyes moist
And for the rest of his life, no matter how many wild nights or beauties crossed his path, none would compare to that night, to the thought of “If it were you, I’d be overjoyed to marry you!”
Sullivan handed the check to Lucia
Clutching the check, Lucia cried silently, her shoulders shaking, but she refused to make a sound. She knew how strange, how embarrassing her voice sounded now…
Megan wrapped her arms around her.
She urged Lucia to look into her eyes, and, using sign language, she told her, “You still have me! Lucia, you always have me.”
Lucia’s expression was distant.
Tears were in Megan’s eyes, but she managed a smile and repeated in sign language, “You still have me! Lucia, you still have mel”
Lucia’s lips quivered even more, and soon she was crying out loud, her voice harsh and grating, but Megan cried with her. She leaned on Lucia’s frail shoulder, murmuring. “You scared me to death! Do you know that, Lucia? You scared me to death.”
Sullivan stepped out.
He took the same spot Timothy had stood in and lit a cigarette, the night breeze dispersing its scent and slightly softening his heart, though his resolve remained unshaken.
He smiled gently to himself, “Only those in power have choices!”
Two days later, Lucia tiled on her hearing aid.
When she spoke her first words to Megan, Megan cried.
M
Lucia wiped away her tears, giving Megan a comforting smile, “Why cry, silly? I can hear now! And with $50 million, I can live comfortably for the rest of my life.”
Megan nodded through her tears, “Yes, you can hear now!”
But she couldn’t forget the look of despair on Lucia’s face. Lucia loved being in the spotlight, aspiring to shine brightly so those she admired would notice her.
But now, Lucia’s chances were gone
The $50 million had severed her ties with Timothy and her career dreams.
09.35
At night, in her rented apartment, Megan opened a small bottle of whiskey.
Feeling down, she wanted a drink.
But the alcohol only made her feel more depressed. Half–asleep, she felt something fuzzy against her face, as if something was rubbing against her.
Opening her eyes, she saw Shirley, perched on the sofa, tail wagging.
How did it get here?
Megan tried to remember but the alcohol had hit her hard, leaving her unable to support herself and slumping onto the sofa.
Sullivan approached with a glass of water, only to find her in such a state.
Head slightly tilted back, her eyes half–closed
Her silk blouse was undone, revealing her mpidly heaving chest, and the hem of her shirt was scandalously hiked up, exposing a sliver of her slender waist… She was drenched in the sum of a mature women, tempting a man to indulge in her flavors.
Under the warm orange light, Sullivan watched her quietly. His Adam’s apple bobbed gently.
It had been a while since they were intimate, and as a normal man, it was impossible not to desire, especially with her lying so provocatively before him.
Setting the glass down, the water inside sloshed back and forth.
Sullivan couldn’t take his eyes off Megan.
His long finger slipped under his tie, loosening it before tossing it onto the back of the sofa, followed by his cufflinks, which he set on the coffee table. The small, exquisite diamond cufflinks sparkled under the orange light.
He leaned in to kiss her.
Megan was intoxicated, but she knew this wasn’t right. She shouldn’t be getting involved with Sullivan like this
She tried to dodge his kisses, but he always found her, capturing her lips in a deep kiss, her hand guided to feel his lean waist and his belt.
Their clothes remained on, but the tension was unbeamble.
Megan lay beneath him, her words slurred with drunkenness, “Sullivan, why are you here? No… we shouldn’t do this.”
Sullivan gently caressed her flushed face.
His voice was unbelievably tender. “Is it that we shouldn’t, or is
is it that
you don’t want to?”
Megan looked up at him helplessly, panting heavily.
Her trembling body betrayed her true physical response, after all, being accustomed to sweetness, she, too, had her needs as a woman. Yet, she stubbornly replied, “I don’t want to!”
Sullivan’s gaze deepened.
After a moment, he took her hand to his face. His features were sharp and well–defined, evoking feelings even through touch. Eventually, her delicate fingers brushed against his prominent nose, its slight softness tantalizing.
Sullivan gently pulled her hand away, not letting her continue.
He whispered in her ear, “Still saying you don’t want to? You’re almost addicted to touching me!”
Megan’s breathing became more labored, and Sullivan lowered his head to kiss her again…..
